Systemic racism report delayed 3 months

A report on systemic racism in New Brunswick has been delayed until the end of the year.

Manju Varma, who was appointed the commissioner on systemic racism a year ago, was expected to complete her report and submit recommendations to the government this month.

But she has been granted an extension until Dec. 31, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs announced on Monday.

In the government-issued news release, Varma said pandemic lockdowns earlier in her mandate made it more difficult to consult with stakeholders. She has been conducting public consultations on the "nature and impact of systemic racism" on the Indigenous, immigrants, people of colour, and "other marginalized groups."

"I have seen significant interest from a broad spectrum of the population here and it's important that those who want to participate have the opportunity to do so," she said in a statement.

In addition, there will be data available in October that she would like to include in her report, Varma said, without elaborating.

The commissioner's request is "reasonable," said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn, "and in light of a handful of circumstances outside anyone's control, a short extension on her timeline will ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive report.

"We look forward to seeing the final report at the end the year."

The report, which will be made public, will include recommendations on developing a provincial strategy and an action plan to address sector concerns, such as barriers to opportunity; equitable access to programs and services; and systemic racism in health care, education, social development, housing, employment and criminal justice.

Mid-term report was shelved

The chiefs of the nine Mi'kmaw communities in New Brunswick, who withdrew from the commissioner's process in June over concerns about its independence from the government, aren't expecting much from the final report, according to Dean Vicaire, executive director of Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Incorporated (MTI), a not-for-profit organization created by the nine Mi'kmaw First Nations.

"It would be wrong for myself or anyone to say that we don't care. It's just too bad that it's not going to reflect what it should reflect, and state what it ought to be stating," he said.

"I guess the feeling is little to no faith in that process, and as a result of that, little to no trust."

The chiefs withdrew after the commissioner's mid-term report, which recommended an immediate public inquiry into systemic racism against Indigenous peoples in the justice and policing sectors, was shelved just hours following a meeting between Varma, Dunn and Premier Blaine Higgs. 

A senior policy adviser in Varma's office promptly resigned, questioning the independence of the commissioner's office from the government.

"We would love for [the report] to revert back to what it initially stated," said Vicaire. "If that's the reason for the extension, goodness, bring it on, you know?

"But, you know, there's little to no faith in that process for the simple fact that, you know, it's like the carrot being dangled and it's there, but then all of a sudden it's taken away."

The Wolastoqey Nation did not respond to a request for comment Monday. The six chiefs had previously declined to participate in the commissioner's work, describing it as an "ill-equipped and ineffective alternative to an inquiry."

Indigenous leaders have called for a public inquiry for more than two years, following the police shooting deaths of Chantel Moore, 26, of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and Rodney Levi, 48, of Metepenagiag First Nation. They say it's the only forum to properly investigate systemic racism against Indigenous peoples because it could provide the power to compel government bodies to provide information.

Higgs has declined to call a public inquiry, saying there are recommendations from other reviews and national inquiries that could be implemented. 

Varma's mid-term report said the commissioner examined recommendations from a number of previous reports and national inquiries, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the provincial government's implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, among others. With that information, Varma's mid-term report still recommended an immediate public inquiry.

"This has been an incredibly challenging journey, especially for those who have entrusted me with their experiences of racism in New Brunswick," Varma said in a statement Monday.